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By Maja Ivancic
Maja Ivancic

Beauty and Skincare enthusiast and the Lead Editor of BeautyBets, Maja's main passion in life is to serve equally beauty-obsessed women with the content they want 24/7.

Last Updated: September 28, 2021
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A combo of several hair styling tools, including a blow dryer, a round hairbrush, a curling iron and even a flat iron, hot air brushes are taking the hair industry by storm. And it’s no wonder why – designed to deliver beautiful blowouts in the shortest time possible, dryer brushes can help you look put together in a flash, which can be particularly useful for busy mornings and impromptu nights on the town.

If you’re thinking of getting this handy styling tool for yourself or as a gift, you’re probably wondering which model offers the best bang for the buck. Well, you’re in luck because our team of researchers and testers has put together a list of some of the best hot air brushes at a range of price points. These models are not only efficient and budget-friendly, but they’re gentle on the hair and super simple to use too – great even for absolute beginners at hair styling.

The Best Hot Air Brush

1. REVLON One-Step Hair Dryer And Volumizer Hot Air Brush

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With an oval design, round edges and ionic technology, this Revlon brush is designed to provide maximum volume and reduce frizz for that shiny, healthy-looking blowout we all love. A combo of both nylon-pin and tufted bristles further aid in adding volume, plus make detangling a piece of cake.

There are 3 heat/speed settings that allow you to customize your styling, including a cool shot for that smooth, shiny finish. The brush is perfect for most hair types and lengths, including fine and straight, and coarse and curly hair, as well as bob, shoulder, mid, and long-ish lengths. Best of all? It’s really easy and quick to use too!

Key Features
  • Non-detachable brush with nylon and tufted bristles
  • Ionic technology reduces frizz by 30%
  • Oval shape and combination bristles add volume
  • 3 heat settings, including cool shot
  • 1100 watt power
Product Specification
  • Brand: Revlon
  • Model: RVDR5222MNT
  • Weight: 1.1 pounds

2. INFINITIPRO BY CONAIR Titanium Ceramic Hot Air Brus

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The Conair Infinitipro hot air brush can transform the way you style your hair thanks to its easy-to-use design with a 1.5-inch titanium ceramic barrel. The titanium is what allows the brush to heat up quickly and hold the desired temperature, while the ceramic element helps spread that heat evenly and gently across each hair strand.

The result is a smooth, soft and voluminous blowout that even some hairdressers may have trouble replicating. To help reduce frizz and speed up drying time, the brush makes use of ionic technology that produces negatively charged ions in order to break down the positively charged ones in water. This all said, because this brush is so gentle on the hair, we recommend it only to fine and medium-thick hair types.

Key Features
  • 5” titanium ceramic barrel
  • 3 heat/speed levels, including cool shot
  • Ionic tech reduces frizz
  • 500 watt power
Product Specification
  • Brand: Conair
  • Model: BC900N
  • Weight: 15.8 ounces

3. TYMO Hair Straightener Brush Matte Black

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Whether you have thick and curly locks, thin and fine tresses, or anything in between, the Tymo Hair Straightener Brush can help you create that silky-smooth salon-like blowout in no time. With a ceramic heating technology that ensures the heat is distributed evenly with zero hot spots, and whopping 5 heat settings to choose from based on different hair types, this heated hairbrush works even on the kinkiest and curliest of hairs.

It heats up to 410 degrees Fahrenheit like most hair straighteners, and it’s designed to be used in a similar way – passed slowly through smaller and dry sections of hair. While it cannot help you create actual curls, this smoothing paddle brush is great at gentle straightening for most hair types, but especially curly, kinky hair.

Key Features
  • Straightening paddle brush
  • 5 heat settings for all hair types (266℉-410℉)
  • Bag, 2 clips and heatproof glove included
  • 30-min auto shut-off
Product Specification
  • Brand: Tymo
  • Model: B07MMQ4BZH
  • Weight: 1.61 pounds

4. Hot Tools Pro Signature Detachable One Step Volumizer and Hair Dryer

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Get voluminous and polished locks in a matter of few minutes with this Hot Tools One Step Blowout Brush. With a unique oval design and Thermaglide ceramic coating, this handy little tool provides even heat distribution and a healthy shine for salon-like blowout results.

There are multiple heat settings for a variety of drying options, making this round brush hair dryer great at not only drying but straightening and volumizing as well. Silkguide Boartech bristles infused with charcoal are another thing we like about this brush as they gently grip the hair to reduce breakage while neutralizing odors – perfect for a second-day styling.

Overall, a fantastic drying, volumizing and curling brush that’s suitable for most hair textures and lengths, except short hairstyles.

Key Features
  • 2.8” oval brush with ceramic coating
  • Silkguide Boartech bristles infused with charcoal
  • 3 heat settings for different hair types
  • Detachable head, perfect for travel
  • 1100 watts
Product Specification
  • Brand: Hot Tools
  • Model: HTDR5586
  • Weight: 1.76 pounds

5. Aima Beauty One Step Hair Dryer Brush

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If you have very thick or long hair that takes forever to curl or straighten, check out this Aima Beauty blow dryer brush. With 1100 watts strong air blowing system and oval design with ceramic coating comb, this drying brush can tackle the stubbornest of hairs with ease, providing both easy curling and straightening.

The brushes are designed with nylon pins and tufted bristles, so they easily slide through tangled, coarse and frizzy textures without pulling on hair or breaking it. With standard two heat settings, high and low, the brush provides versatility in styling while the cool shot ensures longer-lasting results.

The handle is also ergonomic, with an anti-skid design, so it’s comfy to hold even for longer periods. But thanks to the powerful blowing system and efficient bristles, the styling shouldn’t take you longer than 10 to 15 minutes!

Key Features
  • Oval brush with ceramic coating
  • Nylon pins and tufted bristles glide through thick hair
  • 3 heat settings for styling versatility
  • 1100 watts blowing system
Product Specification
  • Brand: Aima Beauty
  • Weight: 2.7 pounds

6. MiroPure Enhanced Hair Straightener Brush

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Whether you have kinky and curly hair, or thick and fine hair, this MiroPure 2-in-1 Ionic Hair Brush is bound to turn it into smooth, silky and shiny locks – yes, it seriously is that good! With double ionic technology and a metal-ceramic heater, this straightener brush heats up fast but is super-gentle on the hair, helping reduce frizz and boost shine.

The nano comb, on the other hand, helps reduce flyaways and static, while 16 adjustable temperature settings (up to 450℉) make it suitable for all hair types and textures, but especially thick, coarse and curly hair.

For added convenience and safety, the brush also has lock and auto shut-off features, so you don’t have to worry about accidentally pressing buttons or plugging off your heat tool either when you’re in a hurry.

Key Features
  • Paddle straightening brush
  • Metal ceramic heater and ionic technology
  • Straightens hair quickly, reduces frizz and boosts shine
  • Heats up to 450℉, 16 heat settings for different hair types
  • Temperature lock and auto shut-off
Product Specification
  • Brand: MiroPure
  • Model: CS0503
  • Weight: 12.64 ounces

Best Hot Air Brushes Buying Guide

What to Look For in a Hot Air Brush

Volume, shine, smoothness, curls, whatever your hair style ambitions, a hot brush can help to create the look with a one step blowout. But before adding a new blow dryer brush to your hair styling kit, here are the main features to consider:

Materials

The performance of your heated hair brush will be influenced by what it is made from. And the main materials used in a blow dryer brush are ceramic, tourmaline and titanium, which will all help to protect your hair against heat damage and frizz. The barrels are typically made of one of these materials, while the bristles can either be plastic, wire or ceramic.

Ceramic heats up the curling brush evenly and protects against heat damage and frizz but can take longer to heat up. Tourmaline creates a high gloss and impressive smoothness, while it can also produce moisture to enhance shine. Finally, titanium heats up super-fast and holds the heat longer and is particularly suited to coarse, thick or difficult to style hair.

Barrel size

The barrel on a round brush hair dryer can be in different sizes, depending on the degree of curl you want in your hair, with the thinnest barrels giving you the tightest curls and bends. Meanwhile, if volume and bounce is your goal, then opt for a larger, ‘stout’ barrel size. The length of your hair will also dictate the best size barrel as shorter hair will need a smaller barrel to get an effective wrap and lift. As a guide, for thick, longer hair opt for a barrel of two inches (or more) while for shorter hair or if you want tighter curls, barrels of 1 ½ inches or less will work well.

Bristle type

As well as size, you also need to consider the bristles. As a one step hair dryer and volumizer, hot tools with widely spaced and longer bristles are good for thick or longer hair, while fine and short bristle work well with shorter styles.

You may also like our aticle on: How to Manage Thick Hair

Settings

The ability to control the heat of your hot brush, which is effectively a hair dryer with brush attachment, is important so look for variable or preset heat settings for a precision style without damaging your hair.

Rotating vs Non-Rotating Brushes

You can also choose between non-rotating and rotating hair brushes. Non-rotating are effectively brushes that heat up and you rotate manually as you style. These are straightforward to work with but can take longer to style your hair. A rotating hot air brush have a rotating head, normally triggered by a press of a button, and makes styling easier and faster, and can help you get more volume in your hair. But they can be a little tricky to get the hang of and can tangle up with your hair.

Hair release

Speaking of tangles, it can happen to the most experienced hairdresser, so especially if you have longer hair, look for a release button which enables the barrel to swivel gently release any tangled hair. And for extra safety, an auto shut off – just in case you forget to turn off your hot air brush when you have finished – is always a good idea.

Cord length

And finally, for styling ease look for a hot air brush with a decent cord length, ideally 2m or more. And if it can also swivel, the better as it means you can style your hair easily, even those hard-to-reach places.

How to Use a Hot Air Brush

A dryer and styler as one, a hot brush is the ultimate in fast and convenient styling. And with a little practice, you can shake up your hair style from day to night and create some stunning looks with bounce and shine. To get the best out of your new air styler, here’s a few tips on how to use it:

  • After washing and conditioning your hair, towel dry your hair until it is around 80% dry. Using it directly on wet hair can damage your hair and will take longer to style
  • Now apply heat protection spray or serum
  • Turn on your hot brush and allow to get to your chosen heat
  • To start styling, divide your hair into four sections – crown, right side, left side and back – and pin three sections out of the way
  • Select one section and glide the hot air brush through the hair slowly, going from the roots to the tips
  • For a slight bend at the end, hold the styler at the hair ends for a little longer; for volume, hold the styler for a little longer at the roots. For curls, wrap the dry hair around the barrel vertically and hold for a few seconds before releasing
  • Once you have dried and styled all four sections of your hair, shake or brush the hair out
  • Use the hot air brush to finish your bangs or smooth the hair and ends to the desired look
  • Finish with hair spray or shine serum and you are good to go!

FAQ

Do hot air brushes damage hair?

Whether it is from a hairdryer, your curling tongs, flat iron or hot brush, too much heat against your hair for too long is not going to do it any good. And over-exposure to high heat can lead to dried out brittle hair that isn’t going to look its best. But when styling your hair there are steps you can take to help protect your tresses from heat damage and make still make a style statement with your finished look.

Hot brushes are considered to be kinder on your hair than more extreme temperature styling devices, such as straighteners, and this is because they operate a lower temperature, and the bristles keep your hair moving over the ceramic or titanium plates. But even with a hot air brush, you should always use a heat protection spray to keep your hair in tip-top condition.

How do you clean a hot air brush?

With regular use, your hot air brush is going to get clogged up with dirt and grime as well as loose hair, which tends to wrap around the bristles. To keep your hairstyling hygienic, you need to regularly clean all your hairdressing appliances, including your heated hair brush.

To clean a hot air brush, you need to start with a cool device so switch it off and make sure it is cold and safe to touch. Once the brush and its plates are room temperature, start by removing all the hair strands that are entangled in the bristles. Next, with a damp cloth, wipe the brush head, including the bristles and heating plate, making sure you reach the hidden spots between the bristles. If your brush has a removable filter, take this out and wipe it down. You can also regularly use a cleaning solution to get rid of any stubborn dirt.

Once clean, wipe off any moisture residue with a dry cloth and leave the air brush to thoroughly dry.

What’s the difference between a typical hairdryer and a hot air brush?

The difference between a regular blow dryer and a hot air brush is the brush! With a typical hair dryer, you use a hairbrush separately, holding each in different hands as you blow dry. This can make drying your hair a little awkward as you will need to keep putting your dryer down as you change direction with the brush. Hairdryers can also be on the heavy side but can be used with all hair types.

With a hot air brush, you effectively have a hairdryer with the brush built in, so they work together to get the job done, leaving you with a free hand to move and smooth your hair. However, by the nature of their design, most hot brushes have a weaker air flow so will take longer to dry your hair. Hot air brushes are best suited to thick hair that’s of medium length, as the brush bristles will get the optimum grip. Longer hair can get tangled while short hair may not be able to grasp the brush at all.

For optimum results, rough drying off your hair until it is around 80% dry then using the hot air brush to finish the drying, add extra volume and set your style is a good way to use both. A hot brush can then be used for in-between-washes styling and touch ups.